Copycat Zaxby's Cookie Butter Milkshake Recipe

I still remember the first time I tried it, and the cozy cinnamon-cookie aroma felt like a sweet invitation to recreate the experience at home. This recipe captures that same creamy richness and spiced cookie flavor in a way that feels made for your own kitchen.

Table of Contents

What Is Zaxby’s Cookie Butter Milkshake?

The Zaxby’s Cookie Butter Milkshake is a hand-spun, seasonal treat that captures the flavor of cookie butter.

Ingredients:

Base:

2 cups vanilla ice cream (a rich, creamy style works best)
¾ cup whole milk or your preferred milk
3 tablespoons cookie butter spread (smooth Biscoff-style or any speculoos spread)
4–6 speculoos cookies or cinnamon-spiced cookies, crushed
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings:

Whipped cream
Extra crushed cookies
A cherry for the classic finish

Instructions:

Prep your cookie mix-ins: Place your cookies in a small bowl and crush them into coarse crumbs. Aim for a mix of fine crumbs and a few small chunks so the shake has flavor and texture.
Soften the cookie butter: Warm the cookie butter in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds until it becomes silky and easy to swirl. This helps it blend smoothly and creates that recognizable cookie butter ribbon throughout the shake.
Load the blender: Add the vanilla ice cream, milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, half of your crushed cookies, and about two tablespoons of the warmed cookie butter. Keep the remaining tablespoon for swirling.
Blend to creamy perfection: Blend until smooth and thick. If you prefer more thickness, add ice cream. If you prefer a looser consistency, add a splash of milk. Blend again until everything feels unified and velvety.
Add layers of flavor: Pour a little of the remaining melted cookie butter on the inside walls of your glass, letting it drip in decorative ribbons. This step brings that iconic look and adds flavor pockets throughout the shake.
Assemble your shake: Pour the milkshake into the glass, sprinkle extra crushed cookies on top, and finish with whipped cream and a cherry. A final pinch of cookie crumbs on the whipped cream adds a beautiful touch.

Tips For The Best Zaxby’s Cookie Butter Milkshake:

Choose flavorful cookies: Speculoos cookies deliver the warm spice profile Zaxby’s uses. A cinnamon graham or caramelized cookie also works beautifully if that’s what you have.
Use cold ingredients for richness: Ice cream and chilled milk create a thick, luxurious texture that feels satisfying from the first sip.
Blend cookies in stages: Adding some cookies early creates a smooth flavor, while stirring in additional crushed pieces at the end gives every sip a pleasant crunch.
Swirl smartly: A gentle drizzle of warmed cookie butter inside the glass makes the shake visually appealing and enhances every spoonful.
Experiment with comfort flavors: A tiny pinch of nutmeg or brown sugar brings extra warmth if you enjoy deeper spice notes.

What To Serve Zaxby’s Cookie Butter Milkshake With

Cookie-Centered Treats:

Speculoos Cookies: Serving a few whole cookies or broken pieces on the side creates a complete cookie-butter experience. The crisp texture highlights the creaminess of the Zaxby’s Cookie Butter Milkshake.
Shortbread Fingers: Buttery shortbread pairs wonderfully with the warm spice flavors in the milkshake, and the mild sweetness keeps the focus on the Zaxby’s Cookie Butter Milkshake’s richness.
Cinnamon Sugar Cookies: Soft or chewy cinnamon cookies bring out the caramelized notes inside the milkshake, making each sip feel even more indulgent.

Bakery Favorites:

Warm Waffles: A warm waffle with crisp edges creates a charming pairing that feels both comforting and fun. Drizzle a bit of cookie butter or honey on top for added harmony.
Belgian Waffle Bites: Small bite-size waffle pieces are playful and fit beautifully beside the milkshake. They absorb flavors from cookie butter drizzles in a delightful way.
Cinnamon Rolls: A soft cinnamon roll amplifies the warm spice tones of the shake. The icing and fluffy dough create a dessert pairing that feels incredibly cozy.

Chocolate And Caramel Pairings:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Thick, chewy bars add a deeper sweetness that enhances the milkshake’s spiced flavor. The chocolate notes bring a decadent touch to the moment.
Caramel Brownies: Brownies with caramel swirls complement the cinnamon-cookie flavor and bring a rich, fudgy texture that feels satisfying alongside a cold shake.
Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels: The sweet-salty crunch offers a lively texture that plays beautifully with the creamy shake.

Salty Comfort Foods:

Seasoned Fries: Crispy fries bring a warm, savory counterpoint to the sweet shake while staying deliciously familiar and fun to pair with a dessert drink.
Chicken Tenders: Golden, juicy tenders create a flavorful combination that many people enjoy with sweet milkshakes.
Cheese Curds: Warm, melty cheese curds offer a playful texture and flavor that pairs smoothly with a creamy shake.

Dessert Plates And Mini Snacks:

Mini Cheesecake Bites: The creamy tang of cheesecake blends beautifully with cookie butter flavors and offers bite-size richness.
Apple Pie Slices: Warm apple filling with cinnamon adds a comforting fruit note that matches the shake’s flavor theme.
Cinnamon-Sugar Donut Holes: Soft donut holes provide a simple, crowd-pleasing pairing that rounds out the experience.

Substitute Ingredients:

Cookie Butter Spread Alternatives:

Homemade Speculoos Spread: Blend speculoos cookies with a splash of milk, melted butter, cinnamon, and a small amount of brown sugar until creamy. This creates a smooth, aromatic spread that behaves very similarly to store-bought cookie butter.
Cinnamon Graham Cracker Paste: Crush graham crackers and blend with milk and a spoon of honey. Add cinnamon to bring the cozy spice notes forward.
Gingerbread Cookie Spread: This gives the shake a holiday-style depth that feels indulgent and warm.

Cookie Substitutes:

Cinnamon graham crackers: They’re mildly sweet and pair well with the spice notes in the shake.
Gingersnaps: Crisp cookies with lively spice tones that blend beautifully with vanilla ice cream and cookie butter flavors.
Shortbread cookies with cinnamon: Their buttery base creates a creamy flavor foundation when combined with cinnamon or nutmeg.

Ice Cream Substitutes:

Cinnamon ice cream: Brings extra warmth and blends smoothly with cookie flavors.
Brown sugar ice cream: Pleasantly deepens the caramel cookie flavor.
Vanilla frozen yogurt: Provides a slightly lighter texture while maintaining creaminess.

Milk Substitutes:

Oat milk: Creates a silky texture and complements the cookie flavors naturally.
Half-and-half: Produces a thicker, richer milkshake when blended with ice cream.
Coconut milk (from a carton): Adds a gentle sweetness that blends well with warm spices.

Spice Substitutes:

Pumpkin spice blend: Adds cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove in a balanced way.
Nutmeg + brown sugar: Gives a sweet, aromatic lift to the milkshake without overpowering its main flavor.
Cardamom (a tiny pinch): Brings an elegant warmth that enhances caramelized cookie notes.

Whipped Cream Alternatives:

Cinnamon whipped topping: Whip cream with cinnamon and vanilla for extra aroma.
Marshmallow fluff swirl: Adds sweetness and a soft texture that pairs comfortably with cookie crumbs.
Vanilla coconut whipped cream: Works beautifully with spiced drinks and shakes.

Garnish Alternatives:

Crushed waffle cones: Add a sweet crunch that blends well with cookie butter flavors.
Cinnamon sugar sprinkle: Enhances aroma and visual appeal.
Caramel drizzle: Brings a cozy richness that blends naturally with cinnamon cookies.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve followed along on this sweet journey, you know the Zaxby’s Cookie Butter Milkshake is more than a simple dessert; it’s a wonderfully spiced, creamy indulgence.

More Shake Recipes:

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Copycat Zaxby’s Cookie Butter Milkshake Recipe